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Northeast: Deadline not necessarily a deadline anymore
James Murphy | NHL.com correspondent
Feb 28, 2007, 12:00 PM EST

With every Northeast Division team still in playoff contention, it was a busy trade deadline day as teams tried to stay in the hunt and improve their roster. But as Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli pointed out, the combination of the tight standings, an earlier trade deadline, and the salary cap has teams dealing for the present and the future, not just simply making playoff rentals.

“While playoff rentals are becoming more scarce, you can still find some if you want them,” Chiarelli said. “But you’re seeing more hockey deals now with the different environment and teams being so bunched together in the standings. Teams are dealing not only for now but for the future.”

As Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Mike Penny points out, it’s also a much more competitive market with the aforementioned elements of the new CBA and early trade deadline coming into play.

“It’s a much more competitive market out there now,” Penny said.

According to Penny, scouting becomes that much more important and needs to be that much more precise.

“With the salary cap and money being so much tighter now, players that can help you now and later are at a higher premium and if you’re just looking into a player for that final push now, you still have to think about other players that might help you later on. You have to approach each trade with the future in mind regardless of what your situation is now.

"Throughout the season you’re compiling a list of players you would like to acquire and also may want to sign after the season when free agency begins. Your plan that you build leading into the deadline still needs to address what you do after it.”

Penny claimed that even though Tuesday was the trade deadline, there really is no deadline for him or his staff.

“We’re formulating these plans and projections all year long,” Penny said. “Yes, yesterday was the deadline for trades this season, but now we’re looking toward free agency and next season.”

Bruins Assistant General Manager Jeff Gorton echoed Penny’s assessment, and just as his boss pointed out, more and more “hockey deals” are being made.

“With so many teams close to the ceiling, you see more dollar-for-dollar deals made and you may see more deals that help each team now and later, as well as address the team’s current and future needs,” Gorton said. “Unless you’re completely out of it, you can’t just trade for picks anymore. But the challenge is determining what your chances are realistically, then base how much of the future or present you give up.”

Leading up to Tuesday’s 3 p.m. EST deadline, that’s exactly what happened in the Northeast. While teams that were higher in the standings did make some rentals or add complimentary pieces, every team seemed to address the present as well as the future and always keeping the cap and free agency in mind.

The Bruins, who are seven points out of the last playoff spot in the East, focused on shoring up their defense now and in the future, trading forward Brad Boyes for 23-year-old defenseman Dennis Wideman and then brought in some veteran leadership and experience, acquiring 34-year old defenseman Aaron Ward in exchange for Paul Mara.

FULL STORY